[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 16, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2006]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 16CFR23.0]

[Page 141-142]
 
                     TITLE 16--COMMERCIAL PRACTICES
 
                   CHAPTER I--FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
 
PART 23_GUIDES FOR THE JEWELRY, PRECIOUS METALS, AND PEWTER INDUSTRIES
--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 23.0  Scope and application.




Sec.
23.0 Scope and application.
23.1 Deception (general).
23.2 Misleading illustrations.
23.3 Misuse of the terms ``hand-made,'' ``hand-polished,'' etc.
23.4 Misrepresentation as to gold content.
23.5 Misuse of the word ``vermeil.''
23.6 Misrepresentation as to silver content.

[[Page 142]]

23.7 Misuse of the words ``platinum,'' ``iridium,'' ``palladium,'' 
          ``ruthenium,'' ``rhodium,'' and ``osmium.''
23.8 Misrepresentation as to content of pewter.
23.9 Additional guidance for the use of quality marks.
23.10 Misuse of ``corrosion proof,'' ``noncorrosive,'' ``corrosion 
          resistant,'' ``rust proof,'' ``rust resistant,'' etc.
23.11 Definition and misuse of the word ``diamond.''
23.12 Misuse of the words ``flawless,'' ``perfect,'' etc.
23.13 Disclosure of treatments to diamonds.
23.14 Misuse of the term ``blue white.''
23.15 Misuse of the term ``properly cut,'' etc.
23.16 Misuse of the words ``brilliant'' and ``full cut.''
23.17 Misrepresentation of weight and ``total weight.''
23.18 Definitions of various pearls.
23.19 Misuse of the word ``pearl.''
23.20 Misuse of terms such as ``cultured pearl,'' ``seed pearl,'' 
          ``Oriental pearl,'' ``natura,'' ``kultured,'' ``real,'' 
          ``gem,'' ``synthetic,'' and regional designations.
23.21 Misrepresentation as to cultured pearls.
23.22 Disclosure of treatment to gemstones.
23.23 Misuse of the words ``ruby,'' ``sapphire,'' ``emerald,'' 
          ``topaz,'' ``stone,'' ``birthstone,'' ``gemstone,'' etc.
23.24 Misuse of the words ``real,'' ``genuine,'' ``natural,'' 
          ``precious,'' etc.
23.25 Misuse of the word ``gem.''
23.26 Misuse of the words ``flawless,'' ``perfect,'' etc.

Appendix to Part 23--Exemptions Recognized in the Assay for Quality of 
          Gold Alloy, Gold Filled, Gold Overlay, Rolled Gold Plate, 
          Silver, and Platinum Industry Products

    Authority: Sec. 6, 5, 38 Stat. 721, 719; 15 U.S.C. 46, 45.

    Source: 61 FR 27212, May 30, 1996, unless otherwise noted.


    (a) These guides apply to jewelry industry products, which include, 
but are not limited to, the following: gem stones and their laboratory-
created and imitation substitutes; natural and cultured pearls and their 
imitations; and metallic watch bands not permanently attached to 
watches. These guides also apply to articles, including optical frames, 
pens and pencils, flatware, and hollowware, fabricated from precious 
metals (gold, silver and platinum group metals), precious metal alloys, 
and their imitations. These guides also apply to all articles made from 
pewter. For the purposes of these guides, all articles covered by these 
guides are defined as ``industry products.''
    (b) These guides apply to persons, partnerships, or corporations, at 
every level of the trade (including but not limited to manufacturers, 
suppliers, and retailers) engaged in the business of offering for sale, 
selling, or distributing industry products.

    Note to paragraph (b):
    To prevent consumer deception, persons, partnerships, or 
corporations in the business of appraising, identifying, or grading 
industry products should utilize the terminology and standards set forth 
in the guides.

    (c) These guides apply to claims and representations about industry 
products included in labeling, advertising, promotional materials, and 
all other forms of marketing, whether asserted directly or by 
implication, through words, symbols, emblems, logos, illustrations, 
depictions, product brand names, or through any other means.

[61 FR 27212, May 30, 1996, as amended at 64 FR 33194, June 22, 1999]